New 32-cent stamps honor gospel singers

Now that the U.S. Postal Service has honored such folk legends as Sonny Terry, Huddie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter, Woody Guthrie and Josh White, it's ready to pay another musical homage.Sets of 32-centers will honor female gospel artists such as Roberta Martin, who founded the multi-talented Roberta Martin Singers; Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the first gospel singer to record with a major record company; Clara Ward, who led the most successful female gospel group of the 1950s; and Mahalia Jackson, whose fame traveled far and wide as gospel's first bona fide superstar.

The gospel singers stamps are the latest addition to the "Legends of American Music" series, which began in 1993.

First day of issue postmarks of the gospel singers stamps are available by mail. You may purchase the stamps by buying one at your local post office, affixing it to an envelope and then placing it inside a larger envelope addressed to: Gospel Singers Stamps, Postmaster, 701 Loyola Avenue, Room T321, New Orleans, LA 70113-9991. Orders must be postmarked by Aug. 14.